The Memphis Tigers (4-4, 1-3 American Athletic Conference) came into Columbia, Missouri, with one main objective: defeat an SEC opponent and turn their season around. That was easier said than done because Memphis gave up 48 points to Missouri (4-3, -3 SEC) in the first half and ultimately was defeated 65-33.
“Obviously, it wasn’t the showing that we wanted to have,” head coach Mike Norvell said to reporters after the loss. “We got off to a slow start. We turned the ball over and had miscues in every phase. I gave up too many explosive plays defensively. We had some missed assignments that really cost us throughout that game.”
Mizzou quarterback Drew Lock decimated Memphis’ defense. Lock completed 23 of his 29 pass attempts for 350 yards and had four touchdowns. Additionally, Missouri receivers Al Okwuegbunam and Jalen Knox combined for 263 yards and had four touchdowns collectively. Missouri’s offense was too much for Memphis and now Memphis is 0-3 on the road.
“Well, we haven’t played very well in some of our road contests,” Norvell said. “At times, we’ve played well but not consistently enough. You’ve got to be consistent. The momentum swings are something that is going to happen whenever you play in a road contest. But, our guys, we have not been able to seize the moment at the right times in contests like this.”
Norvell said regardless of the location of the game, his team will not win against tough opponents if they do not capitalize off opportunities.
The Memphis Tigers were without star starting running back Darrell Henderson for much of the game. Norvell said post-game that Henderson tried to come back in the game but was unable to do so. Multiple reports said he will be back in action against East Carolina after this bye week.
Without Henderson, the offense became stagnant. It is worth mentioning that Memphis was able to cut into Mizzou’s lead in the second quarter but could not gain any traction.
Quarterback Brady White successfully carried out 15 of his 37 passing attempts for 208 yards. He had just as many turnovers as he had touchdowns — two a piece. Not to mention, he was sacked three times.
Running backs Tony Pollard and Patrick Taylor Jr. had a combined 199 yards rushing, but it was not enough. Memphis could not handle Missouri and now goes into the bye week with the same amount of wins as losses — four.
Norvell said he wants his team to go into this break taking a realistic look at themselves to decide what happens next.
“We have to continue to improve, and we have to regroup in a sense,” Norvell said. “Coming off two tough losses, our football team, we need to put it all into action. At the end of the day, it’s what I just told our team going into this bye week, we have to continue to look ourselves in the mirror. When you have performances were you come up short because of mistakes because of miscommunication, not all 11 guys executing one call, it’s tough to beat anybody.”
Norvell said going into the bye week, there will be full commitment to this team, and he believes in the Tigers and is not worried about the direction they’re headed.
Brady White breaks a tackle and throws the ball to his receiver. White finished the game completing 15 of his 37 passing attempts.
